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Brain fog

Many women suddenly find they have problems concentrating when they hit the menopause.

Dizzy spells

Sometimes with nausea.

Aching joints

They shouldn’t be swollen, though. If they are, don’t blame the menopause.

A change in your skin

With all your skin feeling more dry than before. You realise you need a moisturiser for a “more mature” skin.

A change in pubic hair

Your pubic hair may be thinner than before, and you don’t need to shave your armpits quite so often. On the flip side, you may have some upper-lip fuzz that needs attention.

Experiencing the symptoms of menopause? Possible remedies include…

HRT

HRT has pros and cons. It isn’t necessarily the baddie it’s often made out to be, and can be the best way of helping women having a difficult time, particularly with hot flushes. It can also help with osteoporosis, a fall in libido and help women feel “normal” again. However, it can very slightly increase the risk of breast cancer and stroke so women already at risk need to use it with care.

Bio-identical hormones

These are made in a lab from yam and soya, and are identical in structure to the ones made by the body. However, there is no evidence that these are any “safer” than other types of HRT.

Alternative therapies

Grapeseed and black cohosh supplements may help with hot flushes in the short-term (no more than six months).

Agnus Castus, another herbal medicinal product, can also help perimenopausal women troubled by mood swings or PMS.